Eviction of the Refugee Protest Camp in Berlin

Yesterday in the early evening the refugee camp was almost evicted by the police. The district mayor – Monika Herman/Greens – has ended the official tolerance of the protest camp and has asked the police for help with the eviction. Through a massive mobilization and a solidary crowd on the square, an eviction could be prevented for the moment. The district and the police say that the eviction will take place neither this night nor tomorrow early morning. But we cannot rely on that! It is clear that the camp is not protected anymore by the district and that the mayor is ready to destroy it. For questions and protest you can reach her directly: 0176/32376947. It is also clear that the camp is a disturbance to the government of Berlin. Even if the district will not proceed to evict it, the mayor of Berlin could do it instead.

Miss Herman was at the camp this afternoon and talked to refugees and supporters. She got the following information: The house that has been offered to some people of the camp as a replacement is only large enough for 80 people. At least 30 refugees returned to the camp because there was no room for them in the house. Additionally, some refugees have made clear since the beginning of the negotiations for a “replacement object” that a replacement is not an option for them. Rather, they want to stay and protest at Oranienplatz until their demands (abolish Residenzpflicht, accommodation in isolation camps, and stop of all deportations) are met. Even though Miss Herman knew that a larger number of people wants to or has to continue living at Oranienplatz, she started the police action. The Green party which claims to act for the rights of refugees, has trampled on them in this case.

Since the beginning of the negotiations, we have viewed the limited access to a replacement house as a try to separate us. The responsible people have been informed that it is not an option for some people to leave the square. Miss Herman reacted with the accusation that the struggle of refugee in Berlin is controlled by left-wing radicals, and that refugees are being used by them. Therefore she denies the refugees, who have directed their criticism and their demands directly to her, the ability to act politically and self-determined. She also participates in a media campaign that de-legitimizes the protest. It is an often-tried procedure: divide and conquer – integrate those who are satisfiable with an emergency shelter for the winter, and deny and suppress those who try to change the system. Those who fight for equal rights for everyone. Those who have demonstrated for more than one year at Oranienplatz.

Because of the mobilization to prevent the eviction, a few hundred people have come to Oranienplatz in a short time. They are still there at the moment and protect the camp against the police. The police is there with several companies. Miss Herman and all politicians should understand that it is the strength of the protest that refugees and supporters come together. The protest camp breaks the isolation. The demands for open borders and the right to asylum are not those of a small minority. They are unevictable, solidary, and international.

What can you do?!

Mobilize against the eviction of the protest camp! Contact responsible politicians in Kreuzberg/Friedrichshain but also in the senate!

The camp needs your support again!!! Register in the schedule for night shifts, come to the daily plenary at 5 p.m., talk to refugees at the camp!!! Think how you and your support group can be ready in case of an emergency. Be contactable also at night! The phone number of the info point is 01578/7210777

Also, today, 25.11. at 2 p.m., there will be a press conference in the circus tent.

PS: at the spontaneous demonstration, some people were arrested. In case you know the names or dates of birth of arrested people, please call the Ermittlungsausschuss (EA/legal support): 030/69 22222; ea-berlin.net

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